Row refuses to die: Haryana opposition ups ante on scrapping of Dadupur-Nalvi canal project

The opposition parties in Haryana on Friday upped the ante on the Dadupur-Nalvi canal issue with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) submitting a memorandum to governor seeking reversal of the BJP government’s decision to scrap the project and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda condemning the decision.

The cabinet on September 27 had scrapped the canal project, evoking sharp reactions from the opposition parties. Led by Abhay Chautala, several INLD legislators submitted the memorandum to governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, claiming scrapping of the project will hit northern parts of the state.

HT Explainer: What the Dadupur Nalvi irrigation scheme is all about

Bhupinder Singh Hooda said if voted to power, the Congress would not only give the compensation to farmers for their land but also complete the Dadupur-Nalvi canal project.

“While most of southern Haryana has been declared as ‘dark zone’ due to less availability of groundwater, the northern Haryana comprising Yamunanagar, Ambala and Kurukshetra has also fallen in ‘critical zone’ category due to overuse of groundwater. The Dadupur-Nalvi canal project, conceived in 1985, would have irrigated about 2.25 lakh acres of land and recharged the soil in these districts,” Abhay told mediapersons after submitting the memorandum.

More than 1,000 acre land was acquired and the second phase of the project was in progress after spending about Rs 209 crore, he said.

However, since the matter of compensation was in the Punjab and Haryana high court and when the decision to pay enhanced compensation for the acquired land was delivered, the state government instead of paying higher compensation, decided to scrap the project and de-notify the land to return it to farmers, he said. The farmers will get compensation amount with 15% interest on it, he added.

Will raise issue in House: Hooda

Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday said if voted to power, the Congress would not only give the compensation to farmers for their land but also complete the Dadupur-Nalvi canal project. In a press conference, he said, “The Congress will raise the issue during the assembly session beginning October 23 and fight till the end,’’ he said.

He said the state government has failed on all fronts and is neck-deep in corruption be in recruitments or power purchase. Besides, it has failed on law and order front.

Seeks probe by judge in Dera case

When asked about the case of the Dera Sacha Sauda head, Hooda alleged that there was a deal between the sect head and the government before the last assembly poll. “The Congress demands a probe by a sitting judge of high court along with former IPS officer Prakash Singh into the entire case. There are so many deceptions keeping in mind contradictory statements coming from the government,’’ he said.